Meet Dolly

"Dolly Monster"

It was April 2010, I had been thinking about getting Marley a friend, but wasnt actually looking at the time when i found Dolly. She was on her own in the back of the local pet shop, partially hidden by large sacks of food. I shoved them out of the way to get a closer look and found a scrawnier version of Marley peeking at me through a pile of hay. She was tiny, and made her 2ft prison cell look huge in comparison. I asked the elderly woman behind the counter if i could get her out. She grabbed the poor little mite and handed her to me. I remember snuggling her against my chest and stroking her head as my heart melted. She was tiny, so petite and fragile looking, just like a little Dolly!

I left her at the petshop, but she was playing on my mind and a few days later i brought her home, after taking her to the vets for a health check. She was very confident! She loved to play and chase things around. I remember how she would run up and down her hutch, following me as i swept up! She has always been a feisty little bun too, and was protective of her things from day one!

Once Marley was neutered and his seemingly non existent hormones had died down, they were bonded. Thankfully though it went smoothly and they bonded themselves, as i had no idea about the correct way to bond rabbits!

"Dirty Dolly"...

At the time, i was blissfully unaware of the fact that Dolly had Syphilis, until she was 8 months old and i discovered scabs on her genitals. After bathing the area and keeping a close eye on things for a few days, i discovered that Marley was looking a little sore too, so i booked them in to see the vet. Treatment entailed a 3 week course of Depocillin, which i had to inject both rabbits with every other day. It wasnt pleasent, but i had no choice, "Dirty Dolly" as we called her for the duration of their treatment had infected my Marley boy with an STI!

It was no laughing matter though, Syphilis for those who dont know causes scabs and sores around the genitals, but also causes irreversible damage internally. Thankfully I caught it, as many rabbits dont show symptoms at all, and those who do, often arent symptomatic for a long time. Left untreated, and both bunnies could have ended up with the scabs and sores all over their heads, faces, ears and even in their mouths.

It was after this that i pieced together the sort of place Dolly likely came from and the conditions she was likely raised in. She was from a back yard breeder - a person who over breeds rabbits, sometimes in disgraceful and sickening conditions with little regard for their health or welbeing. They are in it for the money and not for the love of rabbits. Sadly, this is where most pet shop animals come from (including those from large, well known chain stores), and Dolly is the last rabbit i will buy from a pet shop.

By buying pets from pet shops, you are indirectly feeding the back yard breeding trade. The rabbits are simply stock, no more significant than the bags of food and toys that are on the shelves and will be replaced by another. That said, all rabbits need a home and where you get your rabbit comes down to personal choice, but its important that whatever choice you make is a well informed one.